About The Guest: Rosamaria Varona is a passionate and dedicated educator who graduated top of her class in early childhood education. She has experience teaching preschool, fourth, and fifth grade and is known for incorporating art and self-expression into her lessons.

Summary: In this episode of the Dear Professor series, Dr. Kellie Alston interviews Rosamaria Varona, an online student and teacher. Rosamaria shares her experiences as an online student and discusses the rewards and challenges of teaching. She emphasizes the importance of incorporating creativity into the classroom and the need for professors to inspire and push students to do their best. Rosamaria also reflects on her growth and development as a teacher and offers advice to aspiring educators.

Key Takeaways:

• Online professors should be passionate and enthusiastic about their subject matter to inspire students.
• Students need professors who advocate for their success and push them to exceed their limits.
• Busy work is a pet peeve for online students, as it feels meaningless and unengaging.
• Transitioning from online learning to in-person teaching can be a culture shock, but real classroom experience is invaluable.
• Responsibility and preparedness are essential for success in online courses.

Thank you for following, listening, rating, and sharing.

Important Info

Website: kelliealston.com

Email: [email protected]

Visual of this episode: https://youtu.be/ZlNXWPpsVqk

Music Credit: Maskros by Bowmull https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/ZdbTFzb4Ne/

Resource

Are you interested in enhancing your mindfulness this semester? Incorporate journaling specifically about your work experience in higher ed.

Grab your copy of The Professor's Week in Review: A Journal for Weekly Reflections on the Higher Ed Experience and make it a mindful semester!

Vervante: https://bit.ly/thewirejournal

Amazon: https://amzn.to/40W4U4y

B&N: https://bit.ly/hardcoverwire

Download: https://bit.ly/thefillablewire

About The Guest: Christyl Benford is a multifaceted entrepreneur, author, and award-winning singer and songwriter. She is the founder of Zeely Creative, a brand studio that helps service-based business owners build unforgettable brands and websites. Christyl is also a mentor and mindset coach, helping aspiring and new entrepreneurs transition into entrepreneurship and implement strategic actions to launch their businesses.

Christyl's Business: Home - Zeely Creative

Affirmation Cards: 30 Day Affirming Power Affirmation Cards for Christians

Summary: In this episode of the Dear Professor series, Dr. Kellie Alston interviews Christyl Benford, an online student and successful entrepreneur. Christyl shares her experiences as an online student, highlighting the importance of clear instructions, quick response turnarounds, and good professor feedback. She also discusses the impact of graphics and visuals in online courses and the need for online programs to guide students on how to use the knowledge gained to build a business. Christyl concludes by expressing her gratitude to a former professor who challenged her and helped her tap into her highest creative abilities.

Key Takeaways:

• Clear instructions, quick response turnarounds, and good feedback are essential for online students to be successful.
• Graphics and visuals enhance understanding and learning in online courses.
• Online programs should guide students on how to use the knowledge gained to build a business.

Thank you for following, listening, rating, and sharing.

Important Info

Website: kelliealston.com

Email: [email protected]

Visual of this episode: https://youtu.be/Y2YWjdSpAe4

Music Credit: Maskros by Bowmull https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/ZdbTFzb4Ne/

Resource

Are you interested in enhancing your mindfulness this semester? Incorporate journaling specifically about your work experience in higher ed.

Grab your copy of The Professor's Week in Review: A Journal for Weekly Reflections On the Higher Ed Experience and make it a mindful semester!

Vervante: https://bit.ly/thewirejournal

Amazon: https://amzn.to/40W4U4y

B&N: https://bit.ly/hardcoverwire

Download: https://bit.ly/thefillablewire

About The Guest: Keisha Grant is a school readiness coach for Head Start under the Families and Communities Rising platform. She has over ten years of experience in the field of early education, with eight of those years as a pre-K teacher. Keisha is also actively seeking an online master's program and is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.

Summary: In this episode of the Dear Professor series, Dr. Kellie Alston interviews Keisha Grant, an online student and school readiness coach. Keisha shares her experience as an online student and discusses the wonderful and not-so-wonderful aspects of online programs. She emphasizes the importance of explicit instruction, open communication, and timely feedback for online students. Keisha also talks about a course that pushed her out of her comfort zone and helped her develop valuable skills for her profession. She highlights the need for relevant and practical learning experiences in online courses. Keisha's pet peeves include pointless discussion boards and the lack of communication and feedback from professors. She concludes by expressing her gratitude to a professor who pushed her to do more and encouraged her to apply her learning to real-world experiences.

Key Takeaways:

• Online students need explicit instruction, open communication, and timely feedback to be successful.
• Relevant and practical learning experiences help students apply their knowledge to real-world situations.
• Pointless discussion boards are a pet peeve for online students as they feel like busy work.
• Lack of communication and feedback from professors can hinder students' progress and success.

Thank you for following, listening, rating, and sharing.

Important Info

Website: kelliealston.com

Email: [email protected]

Visual of this episode: https://youtu.be/2W-iBXQqMqk

Music Credit: Maskros by Bowmull https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/ZdbTFzb4Ne/

Resource

Are you interested in enhancing your mindfulness this semester? Incorporate journaling specifically about your work experience in higher ed.

Grab your copy of The Professor's Week in Review: A Journal for Weekly Reflections On the Higher Ed Experience and make it a mindful semester!

Vervante: https://bit.ly/thewirejournal

Amazon: https://amzn.to/40W4U4y

B&N: https://bit.ly/hardcoverwire

Download: https://bit.ly/thefillablewire

About The Guest:

Larae Christie is a senior at North Carolina Central University, majoring in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Child Development. She is also an aspiring artist, model, traveler, and influencer on Instagram. Larae creates fashion and lifestyle content, including "get ready with me" videos and travel vlogs. She recently landed a job as a flight attendant, which has sparked a new passion for her. Larae is dedicated to helping students grow and reach their goals.

Summary:

In this episode of the Dear Professor series, Dr. Kellie Alston interviews Larae Christie, a senior at North Carolina Central University. Larae shares her experiences as an online student and provides insights into what makes an online course successful. She emphasizes the importance of having an organized course layout and a professor who shows personality and relatability. Larae also discusses her transition from a nursing major to pursuing a degree in early childhood education. She shares her excitement about becoming a flight attendant and the challenges of balancing her career aspirations with her education.

Key Takeaways:

• Online courses should have an organized layout to help students navigate easily.
• Professors should show personality and relatability to engage students.
• Personal questions should be addressed during office hours, not in class sessions.
• Lecturing for long periods without engagement can lead to disengaged students.

Thank you for following, listening, rating, and sharing.

Important Info

Website: kelliealston.com

Email: [email protected]

Visual of this episode: https://youtu.be/NiKd6X_cH5o

Music Credit: Maskros by Bowmull https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/ZdbTFzb4Ne/

Resource

Are you interested in enhancing your mindfulness this semester? Incorporate journaling specifically about your work experience in higher ed.

Grab your copy of The Professor's Week in Review: A Journal for Weekly Reflections On the Higher Ed Experience and make it a mindful semester!

Vervante: https://bit.ly/thewirejournal

Amazon: https://amzn.to/40W4U4y

B&N: https://bit.ly/hardcoverwire

Download: https://bit.ly/thefillablewire

About The Guest:

Heather Lee is an online student pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education. She is also a training and curriculum specialist at a child development center. Heather is passionate about gardening and enjoys traveling with her husband.

Summary:

In this episode of the Dear Professor series, Dr. Kellie Alston interviews Heather Lee, an online student pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education. Heather shares her experiences as an online student and discusses her love for gardening and her career goals in the child development field. She rates her overall experience with online courses as an eight out of ten, highlighting the flexibility it offers. Heather also discusses her needs as an online student, including the importance of organization and the use of journals and binders to stay on top of assignments. She emphasizes the need for clear communication and references in online courses to ensure understanding and success. Heather also shares her pet peeve, which is the lack of effective communication in online learning environments.

Key Takeaways:

1. Online courses provide flexibility and cater to different lifestyles.
2. Organization is essential for success in online courses, with the use of journals and binders.
3. Clear communication and references are crucial for understanding and meeting assignment expectations.
4. Lack of effective communication can be a major challenge in online learning environments.

Thank you for following, listening, rating, and sharing.

Important Info

Website: kelliealston.com

Email: [email protected]

Visual of this episode: https://bit.ly/DPEP8

Music Credit: Maskros by Bowmull https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/ZdbTFzb4Ne/

Resource

Are you interested in enhancing your mindfulness this semester? Incorporate journaling specifically about your work experience in higher ed.

Grab your copy of The Professor's Week in Review: A Journal for Weekly Reflections On the Higher Ed Experience and make it a mindful semester!

· Vervante: https://bit.ly/thewirejournal

· Amazon: https://amzn.to/40W4U4y

· B&N: https://bit.ly/hardcoverwire

Download: https://bit.ly/thefillablewire

About The Guest: Kye Howard is a 47-year-old doctoral student pursuing her Ed.D. in organizational leadership and organizational development. She has worked in law enforcement for 23 years and is a single mother to an eight-year-old. Kye is an avid fitness kickboxer, roller skater, and science fiction buff. She aspires to one day narrate a TEDx talk.

Summary: In this episode of the Dear Professor series, Dr. Kellie Alston interviews Kye Howard, an online doctoral student. Kye shares her experiences as an online student and discusses the importance of face-to-face communication with professors. She also highlights the need for clearer feedback and more Christian integration in her online courses. Kye rates her overall online learning experience as a seven out of ten.

Key Takeaways:

• Online students desire face-to-face communication with professors for a more engaging and personal learning experience.
• Clear and constructive feedback is crucial for students to understand and implement changes in their assignments.
• Online discussion boards should have clear guidelines and expectations to promote respectful and effective communication.
• Online courses should incorporate more Christian elements for students who choose to attend a private Christian university.

Thank you for following, listening, rating, and sharing.

Important Info

Website: kelliealston.com

Email: [email protected]

Visual of this episode: https://bit.ly/DPE7

Music Credit: Maskros by Bowmull https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/ZdbTFzb4Ne/

Resource

Are you interested in enhancing your mindfulness this semester? Incorporate journaling specifically about your work experience in higher ed.

Grab your copy of The Professor's Week in Review: A Journal for Weekly Reflections On the Higher Ed Experience and make it a mindful semester!

Vervante: https://bit.ly/thewirejournal

Amazon: https://amzn.to/40W4U4y

B&N: https://bit.ly/hardcoverwire

Download: https://bit.ly/thefillablewire

About The Guest:

• Ms. Elsie Barnes is a 57-year-old former online student from Conway, North Carolina.
• She has two children and a fiance, and she enjoys planting flowers, playing basketball, shopping, and spending time with her family.
• Elsie worked as a teacher assistant before pursuing her degree in birth to kindergarten from North Carolina Central University, which she completed online.

Summary: Elsie Barnes, a 2021 graduate of North Carolina Central University, shares her experiences and insights on taking courses online. She discusses her background, including her love for teaching and her journey to obtaining her degree. Elsie rates her overall experience with online courses as an eight out of ten, highlighting the flexibility and convenience they offer. She emphasizes the importance of having a reliable internet connection, a laptop, and organizational tools like a binder. Elsie also values the support of her family and the ability to reach out to professors when needed. She mentions that online courses have enhanced her soft skills, such as time management, collaboration, and leadership. Elsie's pet peeve with online courses is group projects where some participants do not contribute but still receive the same passing score. She concludes by expressing her gratitude to a particular professor who pushed her and helped shape her into the teacher she is today.

Key Takeaways:

• Online courses offer flexibility and convenience, allowing students to work at their own pace.
• Reliable internet service and a laptop are essential for success in online courses.
• Organizational tools like a binder help keep course materials and assignments organized.
• Family support and the ability to reach out to professors are crucial for online students.
• Online courses enhance soft skills such as time management, collaboration, and leadership.
• Group projects can be frustrating when some participants do not contribute but still receive the same grade.

Thank you for following, listening, rating, and sharing.

Important Info

Website: kelliealston.com

Email: [email protected]

Visual of this episode: https://bit.ly/DPEpisode6

Music Credit: Maskros by Bowmull https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/ZdbTFzb4Ne/

Resource

Are you interested in enhancing your mindfulness this semester? Incorporate journaling specifically about your work experience in higher ed.

Grab your copy of The Professor's Week in Review: A Journal for Weekly Reflections On the Higher Ed Experience and make it a mindful semester!

Vervante: https://bit.ly/thewirejournal

Amazon: https://amzn.to/40W4U4y

B&N: https://bit.ly/hardcoverwire

Download: https://bit.ly/thefillablewire

About The Guest: Dr. Luis Zamarripa is an HR professional with extensive experience in online learning. He pursued his PhD online and has a passion for researching and learning. Dr. Zamarripa is a veteran, a husband, and a father of four. He is known for his positive energy and love for knowledge.Summary: Dr. Luis Zamarripa shares his experiences as an online student and provides insights into the pros and cons of pursuing a terminal degree online. He emphasizes the importance of relevant and applicable content, as well as engaging activities in online courses. Dr. Zamarripa also discusses the need for instructors to be on camera during synchronous courses and to ask more questions to actively involve students in their learning process.Key Takeaways:

• Online courses should provide relevant and applicable content to enhance the learning experience.
• Engaging activities are crucial for active learning in online courses.
• Instructors should be on camera during synchronous courses to build a relationship with students and create an engaging learning environment.
• Asking questions is essential to involve students in their learning process and promote critical thinking.

Thank you for following, listening, rating, and sharing.

Important Info

Website: kelliealston.com

Email: [email protected]

Visual of this episode: https://bit.ly/DPEpisode5

Music Credit: Maskros by Bowmull https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/ZdbTFzb4Ne/

Resource

Are you interested in enhancing your mindfulness this semester? Incorporate journaling specifically about your work experience in higher ed.

Grab your copy of The Professor's Week in Review: A Journal for Weekly Reflections On the Higher Ed Experience and make it a mindful semester!

Vervante: https://bit.ly/thewirejournalAmazon: https://amzn.to/40W4U4yB&N: https://bit.ly/hardcoverwireDownload: https://bit.ly/thefillablewire

About The Guest: Tapresha Cummings is a 34-year-old African American woman from a small town in eastern North Carolina. She is a single parent and an early childhood education major. Tapresha has always wanted to be a teacher and is passionate about lifelong learning.

Summary: Tapresha Cummings shares her experiences as an online student and the importance of having a professor who cares. She discusses her initial struggles with online courses and the lack of connection she felt with some professors. However, she found a supportive and caring professor in Dr. Kellie Alston, who made her feel valued and inspired her to continue her education. Tapresha emphasizes the need for open communication between students and professors in online courses. She also highlights the importance of having a clear understanding of course expectations and deadlines. Tapresha shares her journey to becoming a teacher and the impact it has had on her daughters. She encourages students to persevere and stay focused on their goals, no matter how long it takes. Tapresha also discusses the benefits and challenges of group work in online courses and the skills she developed through collaboration. She concludes by expressing her pet peeve of professors opening modules at the last minute and emphasizes the importance of knowing what is expected ahead of time.

Key Takeaways:

• Open communication between students and professors is essential in online courses.
• Knowing what is expected and having clear deadlines helps students plan and stay organized.
• Finding a professor who genuinely cares about students can make a significant difference in their educational journey.
• Group work in online courses can help develop collaboration and leadership skills.
• Professional development regarding online pedagogy should be a requirement for college instructors who teach online.

Thank you for following, listening, rating, and sharing.

Important Info

Website: kelliealston.com

Email: [email protected]

Visual of this episode: https://bit.ly/DPepisode4

Music Credit: Maskros by Bowmull https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/ZdbTFzb4Ne/

Priceless Resource

Are you interested in enhancing your mindfulness this semester? Incorporate journaling specifically about your work experience in higher ed.

Grab your copy of The Professor's Week in Review: A Journal for Weekly Reflections On the Higher Ed Experience and make it a mindful semester!

Vervante: https://bit.ly/thewirejournal

Amazon: https://amzn.to/40W4U4y

B&N: https://bit.ly/hardcoverwire

Download: https://bit.ly/thefillablewire

About The Guest:

Takima Hoy-Hines is a nontraditional student pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education. She is passionate about owning her own childcare facility in the future.

Summary: In this episode of the Dear Professor series, Dr. Kellie Alston interviews Takima Hoy-Hines, an online student pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education. Takima shares her experiences as an online student, highlighting both the positive and negative aspects. She emphasizes the importance of clear communication from professors, timely feedback, and specific instructions for assignments. Takima also discusses the challenges of group work in an online setting and the need for personal responsibility among students. Overall, she rates her online learning experience a 7 out of 10.

Key Takeaways:

Clear communication and timely feedback from professors are essential for online students.

Specific instructions and expectations for assignments help students meet the requirements.

Group work in an online setting can be challenging due to scheduling conflicts and lack of participation.

Personal responsibility plays a significant role in online learning success.

Thank you for following, listening, rating, and sharing.

Important Info

Website: kelliealston.com

Email: [email protected]

Visual of this episode: https://bit.ly/DPepisode3

Music Credit: Maskros by Bowmull https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/ZdbTFzb4Ne/

Resource

Are you interested in enhancing your mindfulness this semester? Incorporate journaling specifically about your work experience in higher ed.

Grab your copy of The Professor's Week in Review: A Journal for Weekly Reflections On the Higher Ed Experience and make it a mindful semester!

Vervante: https://bit.ly/thewirejournal

Amazon: https://amzn.to/40W4U4y

B&N: https://bit.ly/hardcoverwire

Download: https://bit.ly/thefillablewire